Month: March 2020

Leaders of four South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations – Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives – on Friday endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal to chalk out a joint strategy to combat the coronavirus outbreak, promising their complete support towards the collective efforts against the pandemic that has killed nearly 5000 people globally.

Taking to Twitter, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that his government is ready to work with SAARC member states — India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka — to protect the people from the deadly disease.

“I welcome the idea advanced by Prime Minister Modiji @narendramodi for chalking out a strong strategy by the leadership of the SAARC nations to fight Coronavirus. My government is ready to work closely with the SAARC Member States to protect our citizens from this deadly disease,” KP Oli tweeted.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that his country is ready to join the discussion and share its learnings and best practices to combat the outbreak.

“Thank you for the great initiative Shri @narendramodi – #LKA is ready to join the discussion & share our learnings & best practices and to learn from other #SAARC members. Let’s unite in solidarity during these trying times and keep our citizens safe,” he tweeted in response to PM Modi’s call to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Modi on Friday had proposed that the leaders of the SAARC countries should chalk out a joint strategy to fight coronavirus.”I would like to propose that the leadership of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy,” PM Modi had tweeted.

Within hours, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said he has no doubt that under PM Modi’s leadership the region would see immediate and impactful outcomes.

“This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference,” Tshering tweeted.

It may be noted that all eight SAARC nations have reported cases of coronavirus, according to the World Health Organisation website. India has reported upto 75 cases, while one person has died from the infection.

Prime Minister Modi had also said that SAARC countries can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.”Our planet is battling the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it,” PM Modi said in another tweet.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also came forward in response to Modi’s proposal.

“Thank you PM @narendramodi for taking the initiative on this important endeavor. Covid 19 requires a collective effort to defeat it. Maldives welcomes this proposal and would fully support such a regional effort,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

PM Modi asserted that South Asia should fight against the virus to ensure people’s safety.

“South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy,” he added.

(ANI)

The Union Cabinet on Friday cleared a draft resolution scheme for the troubled Yes Bank.

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced a draft scheme of reconstruction for the country’s fourth-largest lender.

According to the scheme, investor in the bank will pick up 49 per cent stake and maintain holding above 26 per cent for three years from the date of capital infusion.

The scheme was announced a day after the central bank imposed a month-long moratorium on the bank and restricted withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per depositor till April 3, citing its poor financial health due to bad loans.

On Thursday, State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday said it will infuse Rs 7,250 crore into Yes Bank and pick 725 crore shares at Rs 10 each, and its shareholding will remain within 49 per cent of the paid-up capital.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the board of ICICI Bank on Friday approved an investment of Rs 1,000 crore in Yes Bank via equity route.

ICICI Bank will acquire 100 crore equity shares of Yes Bank at Rs 10 per share, including a premium of Rs 8 per share.

“This investment is likely to result in ICICI Bank holding in excess of 5 per cent shareholding in Yes Bank, with the final shareholding to be determined based on the final Scheme of Reconstruction and share issuance thereunder,” ICICI Bank said in a statement.

The announcement came as the Union Cabinet approved Yes Bank’s restructuring scheme to safeguard depositors’ interest and ensure a stable financial banking system.

ANI

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday said that so far 81 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported in India out of which 64 are Indians, and the rest are foreign nationals. In light of the pandemic various sporting events, including highly popular IPL series, were cancelled in the country.

Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Ministry, while briefing media here, said: “Till now, there are 81 confirmed cases of coronavirus in India, out of which 64 are Indians, 16 Italians and one Canadian national.”

“Contact tracing of these cases is being actively pursued. So far, this has led to the identification of more than 4,000 contacts, who have been put under surveillance,” he added.

The government has brought 42,296 passengers under community surveillance, out of which 2,559 were symptomatic and 522 hospitalised including 17 foreign nationals.

“So far the Government of India has evacuated 1,031 persons including 48 nationals from countries such as Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, United States, America, Madagascar, Srilanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru,” said Agarwal.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday decided to postpone the Indian Premier League (IPL) to April 15, 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

There was speculation as to what the board will decide amidst the ongoing coronavirus scare, and finally postponing the tournament came up as the solution.

“The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience,” the BCCI said in an official statement.

The board has also assured that it will work in unison with the Sports Ministry and will adhere to the guidelines issued.

Earlier in the day, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia announced that all sporting activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), attracting a large crowd turnout have been banned amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

“Sports activities, seminars, conferences, we have decided to shut them. No sports event including IPL would be allowed in Delhi until the next order. Coronavirus is spreading, we have decided to maintain social distance, IPL is a big event, many people come from various corners, I would also like to appeal to the people,” Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, told reporters

Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), filed his nomination papers for the March 26 Rajya Sabha polls on Friday.

The senior leader was accompanied by BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Polls for 55 Rajya Sabha seats in different states are scheduled to be held on March 26.

On Wednesday, Scindia joined the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of party President JP Nadda. He had resigned from Congress a day earlier after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scindia was part of the Congress Party for almost two decades.

(ANI)

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh on Thursday said that 11 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state and that they have been kept in isolation.

“About 800 doctors have been trained. Through video conferences, we are tracking all developments. 11 people have tested positive in Uttar Pradesh. The latest was found in Gomti Nagar (Lucknow). They have been kept in isolation,” said the Minister here.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases across India, including foreign nationals, has gone up to 73. Out of these 73 people, 56 are Indian citizens. With 17 coronavirus positive cases, the maximum number of cases in the country has been reported from Kerala.

Maharashtra reported 11 cases while in Uttar Pradesh there were 10 positive cases including a foreigner, according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The government has taken several steps to contain the virus, including suspension of all visas to India till April 15, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

People can avoid catching the virus by taking simple precautions such as washing hands with soap, using hand sanitisers, maintaining good respiratory hygiene and maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet from anyone who is coughing and sneezing.

(ANI)

The Central government on Wednesday announced the suspension of all visas to India till April 15, as part of the measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

The suspension, which will come into effect on March 13 at the port of departure, excludes diplomatic, official, United Nations or international organisations, employment, and project visas, as per an official release.

The discussion in this regard was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with several Union Ministers at Nirmal Bhawan in the national capital on Wednesday.

“All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure,” said the release.

In addition, the visa-free travel facility granted to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, is kept in abeyance till April 15, effective from March 13.

Any foreign national, who intends to travel to India for compelling reasons may contact the nearest Indian Mission, the statement reads.

In addition, all incoming travellers including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited the coronavirus-affected countries of China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain, and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.

International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities, as per the release.

(ANI)

Union Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Centre is ensuring that no action is taken against any innocent person while probing the Delhi violence.

“We are ensuring that no action is taken against any innocent person. 49 cases of Arms Act have been registered. 153 arms have been recovered. Over 650 meetings of peace committee have taken place since February 25,” said Shah while replying to the debate on Delhi violence in the Lok Sabha.

“The spread of riots on such a big scale in such a short time is not possible without a conspiracy. We have registered a case of conspiracy to probe this angle. Three people have been arrested for financing the violence in the North East Delhi,” he added.

The Home Minister said that from February 27 till today, around 700 FIRs have been registered.

“2,647 people have been detained. CCTV footage is being analysed on more than 25 computers. Everything started coming under control from February 25 evening. An immediate investigation was also started. How did riots spread so soon? It is absolutely correct…over 50 people died and loss of rupees thousand to crores has occurred. It is not a small thing,” said Shah.

“We have to understand the geographical situation of North-East Delhi. It is India’s most populated area having narrow lanes, where the police vans, fire-brigade and in fact police’s two-wheelers can not enter. The most mixed population of both the communities reside here. Criminal elements also have a long history there,” he added.

The Home Minister further said that the North-East region of the national capital is adjoining to Uttar Pradesh’s border.

“Some people said the CRPF should have been sent. On 23rd, 17 companies of the Delhi Police, 13 companies of CRPF had already been placed in the area,” said Shah. (ANI)

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day after he ended his 18-years-old association with the Congress party.

BJP president JP Nadda symbolically inducted Scindia into the party by offering him a party stole and a bouquet in front of the media at the BJP headquarters here.

The disgruntled four-time Congress MP reached the BJP headquarter at around 2.30 p.m. He met Nadda and other senior leaders and later faced the press along with Nadda and BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.

Scindia had on Tuesday met Home Minister Amit Shah, who then took him to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence.

Scindia’s resignation from the party, that triggered the resignation of 22 MLAs who are his loyalists, has left the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh in a turmoil.

Articulate and charismatic, Scindia was Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology in the UPA-I government.

He was the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in the UPA-II government between 2009 and 2012. Scindia was Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Power between 2012 and 2014.

He was a strong critic of the Narendra Modi government in its first term and articulated his concerns in the Lok Sabha.

Belonging to a political family, Scindia was first elected to Lok Sabha from Guna in 2002 after his father Madhavrao Scindia died in an airplane crash. Madhavrao Scindia was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 at the age of 26 and went on to win nine consecutive elections from the Gwalior and Guna constituencies.

Jyotirdaditya Scindia suffered a shock defeat from Guna parliamentary seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)